What a GREAT day to be Rebel. This time of year is absolutely special on a college campus and in a college town. And, yes, Las Vegas - in its own unique way - is definitely a college town. Here are a few quick thoughts as we get ready for tonight:

FOOTBALL OPENER TONIGHT VS. MINNESOTA
I can't remember the last time I was this excited for the kickoff of football season. Minnesota out of the Big Ten will visit Sam Boyd Stadium tonight for a nationally televised game vs. your Rebels at 8 p.m. PT. We hope to see you out at the stadium for what should be a fun atmosphere. But if you are unable to make it out to the game, we hope you will tune in to CBS Sports Network to catch glimpses of why we are so excited about the potential of our football program over the next couple of seasons.

If you haven't had a chance to see the coverage over the past two days by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun regarding our football program, I encourage you to check it out. The reporters and columnists with both papers really did an excellent job of discussing where we are and where we need to be.

No one is happy with the number of wins we have had in recent years. Nobody. But we are also realistic in understanding the culture that, unfortunately, had been around this program for nearly three decades when the new staff took over. We are going to change that. I believe more in head coach Bobby Hauck today than the day we hired him. We are going to see this change through. At times that may call for more patience than some will be comfortable with, but it is going to happen. And we are hoping tonight is a positive step in showing that progression to you - our fans - as we grow this UNLV Football program into a program you will be proud of. Go Rebels!

2-FOR-1 TICKETS, FRIENDS & FAMILY NIGHT SEPT. 8
It's important to us that you come and see - in person - your Rebel Football team. Next Saturday night is Friends & Family Night at Sam Boyd Stadium vs. Northern Arizona (7 p.m. PT kickoff) and we are offering a 2-for-1 ticket offer encouraging fans to come watch our guys in Scarlet & Gray for themselves... Prior to the game, we'll have a Kids Festival set up north of the stadium starting at 5 p.m. and our Runnin' Rebel basketball team will be signing autographs there from 5-6 p.m. Following the game, fans are invited to come on the field and get autographs from Rebel Football players... It should be a memorable night for kids at Sam Boyd Stadium.

FRIDAY NIGHT FIREWORKS - WASHINGTON STATE ON SEPT. 14
We'll have a postgame fireworks show on Friday, Sept. 14 following our football game vs. Washington State out of the Pac-12 at 6 p.m. PT. That should be a great atmosphere for families as well.... There are many fun things going on with Rebel Football this season. Click here for more info.

WOMEN'S SOCCER VS. OKLAHOMA FRIDAY NIGHT
The Rebels will take on Oklahoma at 7 p.m. PT at home Friday night in their biggest non-conference home game of the season... Women's volleyball plays a tournament in Portland this weekend before returning home for the Rebel Classic Sept. 7 & 8... Men's soccer - which nearly upset No. 18 St. Mary's last weekend - plays two more games on its California swing before opening the home portion of its season on Sept. 7... Tickets to all volleyball and soccer games are $8, with kids 12-and-under always free.

ALL STUDENT-ATHLETE MEETING THIS PAST MONDAY
Every single student-athlete representing the Scarlet & Gray of UNLV this year - as well as all of the coaches, administrators and support staff - came together on Monday, the first day of school. Because of all the variables with all the different teams and class schedules, it's the one time each year the entire Rebel Athletic family gets together. As an athletic director, it's one of my favorite events of the year.

We talk about wins and losses a lot in this business (for example, look at how I started this message to you), but we must never forget we work in higher education first. Our job is to grow these young men and women academically, socially and athletically. I hope you are proud of the student-athletes living the Scarlet & Gray - Every Day - and representing you, your university and your city. I know I am.

Make it a GREAT Rebel day and see you at the stadium tonight. Thank you for believing in what we do.